Master’s in Advanced Exterior Lighting Design Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in advanced exterior lighting design engineering, structured in 12 modules covering exterior lighting functions, vehicle photometric regulations, light sources and electronics, headlamp optical design, adaptive headlamps, light signatures, headlamp mechanics and materials, photometric simulation and measurement, signalling, industrialisation and trends, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Advanced Exterior Lighting Design Engineering — studying from Australia
Product design and human-machine interface work is important across Australian industries, from consumer goods and medical devices to mining equipment and transport systems. Designers and engineers collaborate on usability, ergonomics and visual interfaces, with growing attention to accessibility standards and user research. Australia has active design communities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, supported by universities and design agencies. Employers include manufacturers, software companies, consultancies and in-house product teams in large organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$14,200 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Does a SEIUM qualification count for professional design recognition in Australia?
Australian design practice is recognised through bodies such as the Design Institute of Australia, which runs professional membership, and Engineers Australia covers engineering-related design. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies. Employers and the relevant body decide whether it counts toward recognition.
Which Australian employers need HMI and product design skills?
Australia has product design studios, software companies, automotive and medical device firms, and consultancies needing interface and product designers. Employers usually look closely at your portfolio and user research work. A SEIUM qualification may complement this, but its weight is determined by each employer.
Can I study this part-time from Australia and what language level is needed?
Yes, the courses are 100% online, so you can study from home across Australia without a student visa. Teaching is in English, so you need solid English proficiency. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, with an assigned technical tutor, instalment payments, and possible employer sponsorship.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define lighting and signalling functions in accordance with UNECE regulations.
Select LED, laser and OLED sources together with their electronics and thermal management.
Design reflector, projector and light guide optics.
Develop ADB adaptive headlamps with real-time control.
Create light signatures that are consistent with the brand identity.
Simulate, measure and homologate lighting devices.
Industrialise headlamps and rear lamps with controlled quality and cost.
Who it's for
- Automotive lighting engineers.
- Optical designers.
- Light signature designers.
- Lighting electronics engineers.
- Photometric homologation engineers.
- Supplier quality engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- UNECE Regulation No 48 (installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)
- UNECE Regulation No 149 (road illumination devices)
- UNECE Regulation No 148 (light-signalling devices)
- UNECE Regulation No 150 (retro-reflective devices)
- FMVSS 108 (US lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment)
- AEC-Q102 (reliability qualification of automotive optoelectronic semiconductors)
- IATF 16949:2016 (automotive quality management systems)
- IEC 60529 (degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code))
- Ansys Speos
- LucidShape
- LightTools
- Simcenter FloEFD
- CATIA V5
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Dipped beam and asymmetric cut-off1.2Main beam and range1.3Daytime running lamps1.4Position and end-outline marker lamps1.5Direction indicators and hazard warning signal1.6Stop lamps and centre high-mounted stop lamp1.7Front and rear fog lamps1.8Reversing and manoeuvring lamps1.9Rear registration plate lighting devices1.10Case study: functional map of a complete headlamp
2.1Installation of lamps under UNECE 482.2Road illumination under UNECE 1492.3Light signalling under UNECE 1482.4Retro-reflectors under UNECE 1502.5FMVSS 108 and SAE standards2.6Photometric test points and zones2.7Angles of geometric visibility2.8Colorimetry of light signals2.9Headlamp type-approval procedure2.10Practical exercise: photometric verification against UNECE 149
3.1High-power LEDs for headlamps3.2Pixelated microLED arrays3.3Laser diodes with phosphor3.4OLEDs in rear lamps3.5Drivers and current control3.6Thermal management and heat sinks3.7Fault diagnosis and redundancy3.8LIN and CAN communication of modules3.9LED reliability under AEC-Q1023.10Laboratory: thermal characterisation of an LED module
4.1Free-form reflectors4.2Projectors and aspheric lenses4.3TIR collimation optics4.4Light guides and homogeneity4.5Fresnel lenses and microstructures4.6Optical tolerances and sensitivity4.7Optimisation of light distribution4.8Stray light and reflections4.9PC and PMMA optical materials4.10Workshop: light guide design for a DRL
5.1AFS and bending light5.2Adaptive driving beam (ADB) glare-free high beam5.3Cameras and vehicle detection5.4Pixel control algorithms5.5Projection of symbols onto the road5.6Integration with maps and navigation5.7Latency and real-time control5.8ADB requirements in UNECE 1495.9Night-time road validation5.10Practical exercise: ADB masking algorithm
6.1Brand identity through light6.2Daytime and night-time signatures6.3Welcome and goodbye animations6.4Sequential and dynamic indicators6.5Perceived uniformity and homogeneity6.6Depth and three-dimensional effects6.7Illuminated logos and regulations6.8Integration with the grille and bodywork6.9Illumination of surfaces and panels6.10Case study: light signature of an electric SUV
7.1Housings and outer lenses7.2Anti-scratch and UV coatings7.3Condensation and venting7.4Sealing and IP ratings7.5Vibration and mechanical shock tests7.6Aiming and levelling actuators7.7Headlamp washers and lens cleaning7.8Repairability and service parts7.9Weight and cost reduction7.10Laboratory: condensation test in a climatic chamber
8.1Optical simulation with ray tracing8.2Simulation of night-time driving scenes8.3Goniophotometers for headlamps8.425-metre photometric tunnel8.5Colour and uniformity measurement8.6Luminance cameras for styling8.7Correlation between simulation and measurement8.8CFD thermal simulation of the headlamp8.9Night-time visualisation for styling8.10Practical exercise: comparison of simulated and measured distribution
9.1Light-based communication with other road users9.2Marker lamps for autonomous vehicles9.3Safety projections on the ground9.4Charging status light indicators9.5Pedestrian detectability with lighting9.6Emergency vehicle beacons9.7Perception of rear signals9.8Side visibility requirements9.9Signalling for lorries and trailers9.10Case study: rear lamp with emergency stop signal
10.1Headlamp development process10.2APQP and PPAP in lighting10.3Injection moulds for lenses10.4Vacuum metallisation of reflectors10.5Assembly and optical adjustment10.6End-of-line photometric control10.7Suppliers of modules and optical components10.8Cost structure of a headlamp10.9IATF 16949 quality management10.10Workshop: control plan for a rear lamp
11.1High-resolution digital headlamps11.2External communication displays11.3Illuminated body surfaces11.4Sustainable and repairable headlamps11.5Software-defined lighting11.6New functions via OTA updates11.7Integration of LiDAR and cameras into headlamps11.8Lens heating for sensors11.9Multichannel projection micro-optics11.10Case study: lighting roadmap for a brand
12.1Definition of functions and styling12.2Analysis of applicable regulations12.3Optical concept and sources12.4Complete photometric simulation12.5Mechanical and thermal design12.6Virtual night-time validation12.7Cost and manufacturing analysis12.8Presentation of the headlamp concept12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ansys Speos, LucidShape, LightTools, Simcenter FloEFD and CATIA V5, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: measurements on a goniophotometer and in a photometric tunnel, night-time validation driving on the road, and climatic condensation and sealing tests. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UNECE Regulation No 48, UNECE Regulation No 149, UNECE Regulation No 148, UNECE Regulation No 150, FMVSS 108, AEC-Q102, IATF 16949:2016 and IEC 60529.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Ansys Speos, LucidShape, LightTools, Simcenter FloEFD and CATIA V5, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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